[Baa-ebulletin 00536] Andrew John Elliott

[BAA electronic bulletins service]

It is with much sadness that I have to report that Andrew Elliott, 
occultation coordinator both for the BAA Lunar Section and the Asteroids and 
Remote Planets Section, died peacefully yesterday, 28th November, at Wesham 
Hospital near Preston, Lancashire after a long illness.  His mother, Edna, 
was with him at the time.

Andrew was very well known throughout the UK and by many astronomers across 
Europe.  He served as secretary of the Leeds Astronomical Society for a time 
and was an honorary member of the Reading Astronomical Society.  He was 
always ready to help, advise and encourage amateurs interested in observing 
transient astronomical phenomena; in particular using the most modern 
low-light level technology to monitor lunar and asteroid occultations as 
well as coverage of meteor showers.  He would travel the length and breadth 
of the country to deliver lectures to many local societies and thought 
nothing of travelling abroad to attend international meetings where he made 
very many friends.

He was elected a member of the Association in January 1979.  In 1988 Andrew 
began pioneering work on the use of low-light video cameras for astronomical 
applications and has remained one of the leaders in this field ever since. 
In September 1997, he (and Bert Carpenter) organised the 16th joint meeting 
of the European Section of IOTA in Cambridge.  He was the UK representative 
on this body.  He has given many talks at section meetings and workshops and 
we shall all be the poorer now that he is no longer amongst us to share his 
enthusiasm.  Sadly he was too unwell to participate in this August's 
European Section Occultation Projects (29th ESOP) held in York but he had 
helped to organise it and contributed a presentation.  In recognition of his 
many observational achievements he was awarded the Merlin Medal and Gift in 
2000.

He will of course be greatly missed and a full obituary in recognition of 
his life will be published in the Journal in due course.  If you have any 
recollections of Andrew which you feel might be included in this obituary 
then do please get in touch.  Funeral arrangements have yet to be made.

Richard Miles
Director, Asteroids and Remote Planets Section
British Astronomical Association
arps [at] britastro.org